What is it that JS and Pete like? Guys that tilt the field? I'm pretty sure that Tavon does that. Not just his speed but he is so incredibly fluid and balanced. He reminds me of Bary Sanders running style.

If O hear the "tilt the field" quote taken out of context one more time, my head will explode.

1. It was given in relation to the QB position.

2. It implied more about leadership under duress than it did physical abilities.

3. EVERY coach and GM is looking for guys who can "tilt the field" physically. That's the whole point of scouting and drafting. Find explosive athletes who are better than the other guys. The question is not the goal, but the ability to achieve the goal.

Measurables are important to this team. They are not the final say, but they are a significant factor. In order to look past inadequate measurables, a player must have significant mitigating factors. Does Austin have those? Possibly. Wouldn't shock me . . . But it would. I just don't think he's the kind of receiver this team is looking for. In fact, I think he's the opposite.

I've thought for a long time, and probably said this here at .net once or twice, that Austin is a top 10 talent stuck in a small body. People can say he's like Deon Butler, who was similarly sized and nearly as fast, but Austin is more than fast. He's a genius with the ball in his hands. Austin runs like a 4.2 type athlete because his speed is so fluid and his ability to make people miss at top speed is almost unprecedented.

He's also a really polished WR, which I think gets overlooked.

I realize that Austin might not be an every down player, but I think he's good enough that you can line him up all over the place. He doesn't just have to be in the slot. And I think he'd make an insane weapon as a RB in read option plays. He'd also give us a successor to Leon Washington, and I am 95% sure that the Seahawks are going to walk out of this draft with one of Tavon Austin, Denard Robinson, or Ace Sanders because you don't find KR options this good every year.

Thank you Kearly! Tavon has unreal balance and speed. He is not your everyday speedster it translates incredibly well on the field and he has an innate ability to start and stop on a dime. This isn't something you find every draft. Therefore I think he fits the tilt the field mantra quite well. So he isn't an every down receiver he is still a big time play maker. I think Russel Wilson and Tavon would be an absolutely awesome tandem especially on third downs not to mention an outstanding return guy. He is the one guy I would be jump out of my seat excited for in this draft(unless Sheldon Richardson somehow fell to us).

Scottemojo wrote:Here is how I see Tavon Austin: Dexter McCluster went in the 2nd round. Tavon is better in every way. In the late first, he would be a good get. There are other good gets, but he would be one.

Yeah, McCluster went in the second . . . Have we learned anything from that? mcCluster has been a disappointing 2nd round pick . . . Do we want a disappointing 1st round pick?

Tavon is going to be a star in the NFL, I'm convinced...but in my mind, there is a person that we move up for in round 1 to get, it will be somebody to remedy the pass rush. If he is there at 25 and the Seahawks draft him, I'd be excited but surprised...I tend to think we need a bigger receiver type in our receiving corps.

I think there is a better chance that Seahawks could draft Ace Sanders. He is like the poor man's version of Tavon Austin. Ace may not have as much straightline speed (4.5 ish at the combine IIRC), but his playing style, cutting agility, and KR ability are similar to Tavon's, IMO. He also seems to have decent hands.

I love this kid, he's electric and fun to watch. Especially love that he just flips the ball to a ref or away after a TD and he gives his gloves, armbands, etc to fans. Great guy. I was a little disappointed that he got tackled where it looked like he could've gotten away, but then again it looked like there were 12 defensive players out there trying to tackle him. Did WV have a running game? Or was it all Tavon? If it was all him, then wow!

For the record, I never liked McCluster. I think I had a 6th round grade on him that year. I have a 1st round grade on Austin. Role wise they have some similarities, but comparing the two is a little like comparing Justin Forsett to Chris Johnson.

Also, totally random thought that has nothing to do with anything, but holy shit are NFL teams underestimating Denard Robinson as a CJ Spiller/Reggie Bush type RB.

HunnyBadger wrote:Tavon is a good player. But IMO he would be a luxury pick at 25.

The Seahawks are in as good a shape as any team that would be in order to make a luxury pick. They're being predicted to even win the Super Bowl by National Media. To say that Tavon Austin is a luxury pick suggests that he is not a complete football player. I would disagree with that. He is not just a bonus, but will be a valuable and consistent contributor - and as other posters have mentioned - a "tilt the field" type player. He would make the pieces the Seahawks already have even better. Isn't that what it's about? I understand that football is played on the lines and all that. But, you just don't pass on a player of this caliber if you're a team like the Seahawks looking for those things that are going to possibly make a difference - starting in the division. For the other teams in our division to have to account for Tavon Austin would make my decade.

Fan since team Est. 1976Winner of 2013 and 2015 .net annual draft contests

Scottemojo wrote:Here is how I see Tavon Austin: Dexter McCluster went in the 2nd round. Tavon is better in every way. In the late first, he would be a good get. There are other good gets, but he would be one.

Yeah, McCluster went in the second . . . Have we learned anything from that? mcCluster has been a disappointing 2nd round pick . . . Do we want a disappointing 1st round pick?

Uggh...I've never understood that rationale. What the hell does McCluster have to do with Austin? So nobody should draft Austin because McCluster has been disappointing?

Scottemojo wrote:Here is how I see Tavon Austin: Dexter McCluster went in the 2nd round. Tavon is better in every way. In the late first, he would be a good get. There are other good gets, but he would be one.

Yeah, McCluster went in the second . . . Have we learned anything from that? mcCluster has been a disappointing 2nd round pick . . . Do we want a disappointing 1st round pick?

Uggh...I've never understood that rationale. What the hell does McCluster have to do with Austin? So nobody should draft Austin because McCluster has been disappointing?

I don't get it either. If I had just said talented slot guy with top 10 return skills who can take a surprise turn at RB and freak a team out, maybe the response from McGruff would have been different.

Scottemojo wrote:Here is how I see Tavon Austin: Dexter McCluster went in the 2nd round. Tavon is better in every way. In the late first, he would be a good get. There are other good gets, but he would be one.

Yeah, McCluster went in the second . . . Have we learned anything from that? mcCluster has been a disappointing 2nd round pick . . . Do we want a disappointing 1st round pick?

Uggh...I've never understood that rationale. What the hell does McCluster have to do with Austin? So nobody should draft Austin because McCluster has been disappointing?

Dude, you are the one who brought McCluster into the conversation, not me. My point is that saying Austin is better than a disappointing second round pick is NOT a first round endorsement IMO. With the exception of Steve Smith, all the players Austin gets compared to are either disappointing high picks or mid- round role players. That's the mold Austin is in. Maybe he breaks the mold. Our team has shown an inclination to roll the rice on potential mold breakrs, but I want to be real up front about what Austin is. IMO he's a flashy gimmick role player, but not a starting NFL wide receiver.

It might be nice to finally have a flashy gimmick role player, you know. And when you add his kick return ability, he's really more than just a gimmick.

I agree that Austin doesn't seem to be a full-time starting WR, but neither is Percy Harvin. There are niche roles for players like this. I think I'd still prefer a Hopkins/Hunter or even Swope later on, but I do think if Austin is sitting there at #25 it's going to be enticing.

I think Austin is faster, honestly. He seems to be clearing every five yard white line a little quicker to my eye, and he's also significantly more explosive in terms of his moves and short area quickness.

Really curious what Thomas runs at his combine.

FWIW, I think Austin is faster than his official 4.34. Most 4.3 guys don't blow people away the way he does.

Also, did I mention that you are a huge Ducks homer? Not that we don't still love you anyway.

I think Austin is faster, honestly. He seems to be clearing every five yard white line a little quicker to my eye, and he's also significantly more explosive in terms of his moves and short area quickness.

Really curious what Thomas runs at his combine.

FWIW, I think Austin is faster than his official 4.34. Most 4.3 guys don't blow people away the way he does.

Also, did I mention that you are a huge Ducks homer? Not that we don't still love you anyway.

Btw, what are your thoughts on your new coach?

I was just being a smartass mostly. I think Austin's probably faster too. Marcus Wheaton beat De'Anthony in the 100 in track as well. De'Anthony's strength and where he is amazing is his ability to make jukes and moves at full speed, and to be at full speed quickly after a cut. I think that's what seperates him. He does that as well as any player i've seen since Barry Sanders.

I'll PM ya my thoughts on the new coach, just so we don't derail this thread.

ivotuk wrote:I love this kid, he's electric and fun to watch. Especially love that he just flips the ball to a ref or away after a TD and he gives his gloves, armbands, etc to fans. Great guy. I was a little disappointed that he got tackled where it looked like he could've gotten away, but then again it looked like there were 12 defensive players out there trying to tackle him. Did WV have a running game? Or was it all Tavon? If it was all him, then wow!

Edit: Geno Smith looked really good in that clip!

Most of the year, we didn't have much of a run game. It was really up and down. We had a bruising back, but he stayed pretty hobbled up most of the season, and once he went down, the run game petered out. Against Texas, the run game was huge/wide open because they were pretty much selling out to stop Tavon.

I'd be curious to see what his stats would look like if that touch-pass jet sweep thing wvu runs counted as a run instead of a pass. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNmjJTn3CsI ) would probably be closer to 1000rec/900rushing. maybe more. He gashed some big ones with that play

as a DIE-HARD WVU fan i gotta say i would love Tavon to be in Seattle along with WVU product Bruuucce Irivin!! i witnessed his ability wek in and week out and i can tell you he would be an asset to this offense and special teams..keep him on kick return though..he did well with punt return his senior year but earlier in his career struggled with indecision on what to do with it..outside of that he would do great things with Wilson under center scrambleing around which would in turn give AUstin a chnce to get open and make a bu=ig play which he did on the regular here...try and get pass rush adressed in free agency and do all you can to get Austin and you will have the best top to bpttom player in this draft when it comes to skill..he will dod things that just make you stand in awe like this...